Hephaestion (c. 356–324 BC)

Macedonian general. He supervised the foundation of cities and colonies in Bactria, central Asia, and India.

Hephaestion was a close friend of Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia, who called him ‘my Patroclus’ (the friend of the Greek hero Achilles). His services were rewarded 324 BC with a golden crown and marriage to Alexander's sister-in-law Drypetis. He died suddenly in the same year at Ecbatana, the capital of ancient Media (northwestern Iran). His body was cremated in Babylon on a huge pyre designed by the architect Deinocrates, and temples were built in his honour.